Pro-Russian forces want to separate Crimea from Ukraine
In the administrative center of Crimea, in Simferopol city, supporters of unification of the peninsula with Russia and leaving Ukraine, are trying to hold a session of the Supreme Council and take appropriate decision. However, the Tatar population of the peninsula and the supporters of the new government in Kiev oppose it. According to local media reports, about 30,000 people are making rally in front of the building of Supreme Council periodically starting the fray.
Against this background, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Crimea, Vladimir Konstantinov, made a statement in which he said:
"The Crimean parliament does not raise the issue of separating Crimea from Ukraine. This is a provocation aimed at discrediting the Supreme Council of the Autonomy, and depriving its legitimacy.
Crimeans! Neighbors! Crimea is our common home! Peace at home is in our hands! Do not give in to provocations! Keep calm under this situation, and be prudent in your actions!"
However, after this statement the situation has not changed and the tension continues to grow.
Most of the population of Crimea is Russian - 60%; in 1953 the peninsular was transferred to the Russian part of Ukraine. After the collapse of the USSR, Moscow recognized the identity of Crimea to Ukraine, and signed a corresponding agreement. -02D-
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